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What Nobody Tells You About Motherhood with Alexandra Sacks
Alexandra Sacks is a reproductive psychiatrist affiliated with the women’s program at Columbia University Medical Center and a candidate at the Columbia University Psychoanalytic Center for Training and Research.
A leading expert in “matrescence,’ she is known for popularizing the concept in her TED Talk with over one million views worldwide, and in her New York Times article “The Birth of a Mother,” the number one most read piece of 2017 for the “well family” section where she is a regular contributor.
Her work on matrescence and “mommy brain” has been featured in TIME, NPR, The Washington Post, and The Boston Globe, and she is now developing a motherhood podcast with Gimlet Media.
The Unspoken Topic
- The transition into motherhood is just as intense and just as important as the one we go through in adolescence.
What We Cover
- How the transition into motherhood is just as big as the transition into adolescence.
- What it takes to navigate the unknowns of new mom life and pregnancy.
- The effects our society has on supporting this transition for new mothers.
Take a Listen >>
Key Takeaways
- Matrescence is the transition into motherhood, similar to adolescence. This is a time of transition and change. It can be scary, hard, awkward, lonely, and isolating.
- You might feel panic when you find out you are pregnant or feel different anxieties around your pregnancy. This is perfectly natural. It doesn’t mean you don’t want to be a mom.
- Your life is going to change on so many levels when you become a parent. It’s okay to be afraid of that.
- There are no real parenthood rules. Being the best mom you can be is good enough. You need to take care of yourself, in order for you to take care of your family.
- We are not meant to parent on our own. You need a village.
Actionable Solutions
How to Even Out the Emotional Load
- Involve your partner in the care of the baby early on and expect that of them. They are capable and need to be praised.
- Create community. Talk with other moms and also reach out to people that support different aspects of who you are.
- Anticipate there will be change in your relationship and talk about how you are going to keep connecting after baby arrives.
- Make a list of self-care routines that you will do once baby arrives so you can take care of yourself. Put it on the fridge so you can look at it when you can’t think of anything to do for yourself.
Most Excited About
- Her book! Her first co-authored book “What No One Tells You: A Guide to Your Emotions From Pregnancy to Motherhood” will be published in April 2019 by Simon and Schuster. It is a step-by-step guide to your matrescence. A great mom book club read.
Alexandra’s Gift
• Book Giveaway •
What Noone Tells You: A Guide to Your Emotions From Pregnancy to Motherhood
Alexandra is giving away a free book and you may be the lucky mama to win it! Drop your email address below and you’ll be automatically entered! You’ll also be joining both of our lists to receive other goodies! The winner will be announced May 31, 2019!
Freebies From Us
- Join our Facebook Community
- Download our FREE Worried Mama’s Guide to Baby Milestones
Action Steps For *You*
- Have a question or topic you’d like to cover? Let us know!
- Subscribe to our podcast to never miss an episode on iTunes or Stitcher.
- Love what you hear? Leave us a comment + review on iTunes! (WE LOVE YOU!!!)